Best Practices in Sustainable Built Environments

This handbook offers a comprehensive guide for built environment students, educators, and practitioners interested in integrating sustainable solutions into their projects. With climate change posing a global emergency, this handbook provides a timely guidance and inspiration, showcasing practical information and case studies from two distinct geographical locations: India and Australia. This handbook also presents innovative approaches for teaching and learning about sustainable built environment practices, highlighting engaging teaching methods used in both India and Australia to equip future sustainability leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the climate emergency. It also showcases detailed case studies demonstrating best practices in sustainable built environments, with practical suggestions for implementation and scalability. Additionally, the handbook discusses the role of policy and governance as an enabler for climate change mitigation and sustainable transitions in both India and Australia. The book is a valuable reference for built environment students, educators in sustainable design and construction, practitioners in architecture, engineering and construction, policymakers and government officials involved in urban planning and sustainability and professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of sustainable practices in the built environment.

Dr. Jessica Siva is and academic and Program Convenor for Construction Management at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her research focuses on sustainable infrastructure, project governance, and gender equity in the built environment. She is the author of Power in Megaproject Decision-Making: A Governmentality Approach (Routledge, 2024), which explores the dynamics of influence and accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects. Jessica has led and co-led international education and research initiatives, including the Australia–India Zero-Carbon Construction Network and the DFAT-funded Maitri Scholarships Program on resilient water infrastructure. She is a Fellow of Advance HE and a committee member of WIBAS (Women in Building and Associated Services), where she advocates for greater inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in construction. Jessica also supervises PhD research in governance, circular design, and material passports, and collaborates widely across India, Malaysia, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region.

Dr. Josephine Vaughan is an expert in the impact of building materials on the natural environment. Employed at the University of Newcastle as a lecturer of Construction Management, Josephine works with industry, institutions and government to advise, develop and produce research outcomes on the process of building material selection, building material development, decision-making, cultural change and innovation in architecture and the building industry. Josephine is co-chair of a working group on materials and assemblies in MECLA, the Australian Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance. Josephine’s teaching in this area has been awarded and internationally recognised for contribution to sustainable education by United Nations UNITAR CIFAL certification.

Dr. Saurabh Verma has been a faculty member with Amity University, Noida campus, for the last fifteen years. He teaches and researches Corporate Sustainability and ESG Measures topics with the MBA students, PhD Scholars and the industry. Niti Aayog has recognised his research on Sustainable Lifestyle among the “TOP 50 Thought leadership ideas on Sustainable Lifestyle for the Globe.” He has published papers on Green Buildings and Sustainable Cities in ABDC Grade B and Scopus-indexed journals. He is a trainer for quantitative research for faculty and PhD scholars; he also engages with the industry as a trainer on topics relating to green buildings, ESG measures, and data analytics. Dr. Verma has nine years of industry experience in financial services earlier and has worked in international markets in the USA, South Korea, and Europe, greatly influencing his global perspective on sustainability and analytics. In his current role at Amity University with the RICS School of Built Environment, he also works on curriculum and content development for real estate industry programs.

Dr. Priyanka Kochhar is a sustainability expert specializing in green buildings, energy efficiency, and climate-responsive urban development. She is the CEO and Founder of The Habitat Emprise and has over 20 years of experience in developing sustainable building policies and practices. Dr. Kochhar has played a key role in integrating green building rating systems such as GRIHA, LEED, and EDGE into municipal byelaws across multiple cities in India. Her work with international organizations like UN-Habitat, UNEP, and IFC focuses on creating policy frameworks for low-carbon, climate-resilient urban development. She has also contributed to climate action roadmaps, integrated water management strategies, and energy transitions. Dr. Kochhar serves on national and international advisory panels for green building regulations, energy efficiency policies, and climate adaptation. A prolific author and educator, Dr. Kochhar has taught at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and other premier institutions. Her efforts continue to shape policies and inspire sustainable practices in the built environment.